West Brookfield house fire kills 3 dogs, 1 cat

WEST BROOKFIELD – A house fire on Saturday afternoon killed three dogs and one cat inside 104 Lake Shore Drive, according to Fire Chief Paul J. Lupacchino.

Lupaccino said the fire was reported just after 4 p.m. When firefighters arrived, the porch was fully engulfed in flames, blocking the two entrances to the home.

The homeowners, Peg and Jeffrey Walker, had left the home 15 minutes before, Lupacchino said. He said the fire was under control in less than an hour, but firefighters remained on scene until 9:30 p.m.

Lupacchino said no one was hurt. Firefighters from Warren, Brookfield and North Brookfield assisted. He estimated damage between $150,000 to $200,000. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette reported that the family is staying with family in the area.

What caused the fire is undetermined, but Lupacchino said it appears that it may have been electrical, and related to the decorative tree with Christmas lights that had been on the porch. Lupacchino said the tree was always lit.

"We have no suspicions of foul play," Lupacchino said.

Lupacchino said the pets succumbed to the smoke inside the home. He said it was a difficult day for the department as Peggy Walker is an emergency medical technician with the rescue squad in town.

Emergency personnel were holding a spaghetti supper at the Senior Center to raise money for a life-saving out-of-state surgical procedure for an EMT's wife when the fire call came in, he said.

As the firefighters left to answer the fire call, spouses and friends took their places at the fundraiser so it could continue, he said.